The Broncos took a quick, decisive step toward filling out their defensive coaching staff Wednesday.

It appears imminent Jim Bates will become the assistant head coach for defense and defensive backs coach Bob Slowik will be promoted to defensive coordinator, an NFL source confirmed.

Bates acknowledged he flew from his Green Bay, Wis., home for an interview. He had no further comment, referring all questions to the Broncos. Coach Mike Shanahan wasn’t available for comment.

Bates was brought in a day after Shanahan fired Larry Coyer as defensive coordinator. Shanahan believes Bates has one of the better defensive minds in football.

Bates has been considered a candidate for the head coaching job at Miami. His name also has been linked to a possible head coaching opening in Dallas if Bill Parcells steps down.

Bates sat out the 2006 season by choice, turning down a few opportunities to coach in the NFL. This week, Bates said he is interested in coming back to the league. Bates was the defensive coordinator for Green Bay in 2005. He left the Packers after they hired Mike McCarthy as head coach. The Packers seriously considered hiring Bates as their coach but wanted an offensive mind to work with quarterback Brett Favre. Bates finished the 2004 season as Miami’s interim coach. He had a chance to stay with the Dolphins, on Nick Saban’s staff, but opted to join the Packers. Bates has been a coach for 37 years and has spent 14 years in the NFL.

Bates, 60, is known for using an aggressive, 4-3 defense that centers on fast linebackers. That would be a perfect fit in Denver, with Al Wilson, Ian Gold and D.J. Williams widely considered one of the league’s fastest units. Bates also believes in a strong pass rush from the defensive ends and a collapsing attack from his defensive tackles. In Miami and Green Bay, several players made significant improvements while playing under Bates, who is known for his fiery and enthusiastic approach to coaching.

Adding to the appeal of the Denver job for Bates is his son, Jeremy, an offensive assistant with the Broncos. Another son, James, lives in Boulder.

Coyer was fired Tuesday after four seasons as Denver’s defensive coordinator. The Broncos’ defense started the season strong, not allowing a touchdown in the first 11 quarters. But the Broncos faltered, partly because of injuries, down the stretch of a 9-7 season and gave up second-half leads in all four of their home losses.

Defensive line/tackles coach Andre Patterson also was fired by the Broncos on Tuesday.

Footnotes

One name to watch if the Broncos add to their special-teams coaching staff: Pete Rod- riguez, fired by Jacksonville last week. Rodriguez is known as one of the better special-teams coaches in the NFL and Shana- han has long been an admirer. … One potential landing spot for Patterson is Atlanta, with new Falcons coach Bobby Petrino. Coyer also is expected to attract some interest across the NFL. … Broncos practice squad defensive tackle Amon Gordon is expected to be signed to a future contract.

Meet Jim Bates

NFL experience: 15 seasons

Most recently: Packers defensive coordinator in 2005

Also coached: Miami (was the interim head coach for seven games in 2004), Dallas, Cleveland and Atlanta.

Behind the numbers: Under Bates’ five seasons as head of Miami’s defense (2000-04), the Dolphins ranked a cumulative fifth-best in the NFL, and they never ranked lower than 10th in a season. … Through 2002-03, Bates’ Miami defense went 20 consecutive games without allowing a 100-yard rusher.

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